UNLABELLED: Mucocele of the appendix is a very uncommon disease estimated to be seen in 0.2-0.3% of all appendectomies (0.28% in our series). The term "mucocele" means dilation of the appendix due to mucus, caused either by a benign process or a malignant one (cystadenoma or adenocarcinoma). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a series of 31 cases (17 females) treated over 18 years and with a mean age of 62 years. The most frequent clinical symptom (14 cases, 45%) was pain in the right iliac fossa of less than 72 h onset which simulates acute appendicitis. RESULTS: The histology results showed that it was benign in 21 cases. The appendix was removed in all cases; five by laparoscopy, with caecal resection in 8 cases (1 was a cystadenocarcinoma) and right ileocolectomy in 15 patients (9 malignant). CONCLUSION: Follow up is recommended, not only to monitor the appendicular disease, but also due to the high incidence of synchronic or metachronic tumour processes in other areas. Copyright 2009 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.
UNLABELLED: Mucocele of the appendix is a very uncommon disease estimated to be seen in 0.2-0.3% of all appendectomies (0.28% in our series). The term "mucocele" means dilation of the appendix due to mucus, caused either by a benign process or a malignant one (cystadenoma or adenocarcinoma). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a series of 31 cases (17 females) treated over 18 years and with a mean age of 62 years. The most frequent clinical symptom (14 cases, 45%) was pain in the right iliac fossa of less than 72 h onset which simulates acute appendicitis. RESULTS: The histology results showed that it was benign in 21 cases. The appendix was removed in all cases; five by laparoscopy, with caecal resection in 8 cases (1 was a cystadenocarcinoma) and right ileocolectomy in 15 patients (9 malignant). CONCLUSION: Follow up is recommended, not only to monitor the appendicular disease, but also due to the high incidence of synchronic or metachronic tumour processes in other areas. Copyright 2009 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.